Points of Pride

STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and encompasses a vast array of subjects that fall into each of those terms.

While it is almost impossible to list every discipline, some common STEM areas include: aerospace engineering, astrophysics, astronomy, biochemistry, biomechanics, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, computer science, mathematical biology, nanotechnology, neurobiology, nuclear physics, physics, and robotics, among many, many others. As evidenced by the multitude of disciplines, it’s clear that STEM fields affect virtually every component of our everyday lives.

In the United States, STEM is of the utmost importance because of the role these subjects play at multiple levels of society, and the tremendous impact they have. Our country’s entire economy revolves around mathematics: accounting, economics, functions and logarithms, and calculus. The architecture industry is centered on math, as is urban development and city planning. Medical research is fueled by the study of chemistry and biology, and environmental efforts like sustainable energy and nuclear power are also steeped in the sciences. It’s impossible to find a part of society that does not, in some way, interact with these subjects, and since so many of these industries are coordinated by or connected to our government at some level, it’s safe to say that the very governing of our country depends on them. STEM is essential to our education system, as school districts across the country strive to build a stronger curriculum around these subjects.

Gifted and Talented PhilosophyIf we desire to educate each child to reach his/her potential, we must provide a program which will challenge our most capable students. The Ysleta Independent School District is committed to serving the unique needs of intellectually gifted students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds through an array of qualitatively different learning opportunities. Identified gifted and talented students receive differentiated instruction in English, mathematics, science, and social studies at all elementary, middle and high school campuses. These differentiated and challenging learning experiences that foster higher level thinking skills, concepts and generalization in depth and complexity, creative problem solving, reasoning abilities, and the acceleration of flexible pacing of content. Identified students will demonstrate the ability to interpret and evaluate information; use the process of inquiry to solve problems and abstract concepts. Students function in a total learning environment, make choices based on data collection and interpretation, self-knowledge of needs and interests, assume responsibility for choices and decisions, and work effectively with others to solve problems.

21st Century Community Learning Centers Texas Afterschool Centers on Education (Texas ACE) Mission StatementThe 21st Century program serves participating students with high quality after-school programming to encourage and support engagement in learning, positive behaviors, and college and workforce readiness. Parents are served in meaningful activities that encourage literacy, support the child's educational journey, and enhance quality of life for all participants.